The Catalyst of Gratitude
Luke 17:11-19 – Ten Healed of Leprosy
“The Catalyst of Gratitude.”
Ten lepers approach Jesus from a distance and ask Him to have pity of them. Jesus does not heal them then and there. At least, as far as we know, He simply tells them to go and show themselves to the priest. By doing so, He implies that He will heal them or that He has already started the healing process.
Why tell them to go to a priest?
Because only the priest could give them the certificate of cleansing they were required to obtain so that once healed, they could return and be part of the community.
On the way to the priest, all ten are healed. One and only one, returns to thank Jesus. Jesus is stunned to find that only this ‘foreigner’, a Samaritan, is grateful enough to return and thank Him. Jesusthen says “your faith has saved you”.
Now some translations say “made you well”, but others pointing out the specific tone of Jesus’ words, imply that the nine had faith enough to be healed but only this one man had faith enough to be saved.
So here is my question today; how is gratitude a key to working out our salvation?
Gratitude acts as a catalyst, it reminds us of the author of our salvation so that we constantly return to Him, and every time we do, our salvation is brought more and more to completion.
Just as with this ex-leper, our gratitude can leads to;
Further encouragement
Further knowledge.
And importantly; further instruction
Salvation is a process. It may start in a moment but there is a lifetime of it growing within us and taking control of our mind and body. We are saved because we are born again of the Spirit and the Spirit sets us free from the sin that enslaves us.
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